English Explanatory Dictionary

bemoan

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To moan or complain about (something).
  2. To be dismayed or worried about (someone), particularly because of their situation or what has happened to them.

Pronunciation

/bɪˈməʊn/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-bemoan.wav /bɪˈmoʊn/

Word forms

bemoan bemoans bemoaning bemoaned

Etymology

From Middle English bemenen, bimenen, from Old English bemǣnan (“to bemoan, bewail, lament”); equivalent to be- (“about, concerning”) + moan. Alteration of vowel from Middle to Modern English due to analogy with moan.

Synonyms

bewail lament mourn beef bellyache bemoan bitch bleat whimper carp chunter complain crab croak dump on frine girn give out grumble grotch grouse grouch grump gruntle gripe harp inveigh kvetch latrate make a stink murmur mutter moan nag nark nudzh pinch piss and moan rail rail out repine ride snivel whine whinge grieve afterthink becry begrieve bemourn beweep condole deplore elegize grieven keen mean pine repent sigh

Derived words

bemoanable bemoaner bemoaning bemoaningly forebemoaned unbemoaned
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